Thoughts On The NFL Playoff Picture

A look at the NFL playoff picture with only five games remaining in the season…

AFC

Houston (8-3)

New England (8-3)

Baltimore (8-3)

Oakland (7-4)

Pittsburgh (8-3)

Cincinnati (7-4)

Denver (6-5)

Jets (6-5)

Tennessee (6-5)

I don’t think anybody in their right mind expects Houston to stick around as the top seed or even get a first round bye with the carousel of T.J. Yates, Kellen Clemens, and Jake Delhomme at quarterback. However, they should hold on for their division title and probably even the number three seed. What a dream match-up that would be for the number six seed (certainly if it happens to be our Jets). Considering their tie-breaker advantage and how the remaining schedules look, Baltimore should win the AFC North with Pittsburgh taking the top wild-card seed. The battle for last wild-card spot should go down to the wire. The Jets have the advantage in terms of schedule, but Cincinnati is a better team right now and Denver has God on their side.

NFC

Green Bay (11-0)

San Francisco (9-2)

New Orleans (8-3)

Dallas (7-4)

Chicago (7-4)

Atlanta (7-4)

Detroit (7-4)

Giants (6-5)

I would expect the top four seeds to remain the same, just based on schedule and how those teams are trending. Atlanta is the favorite to get at least one wild-card spot as they should finish at a minimum of 10-6 with a remaining schedule of: Houston, Carolina, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Atlanta. The Giants look to be free-falling as usual. Even without Jay Cutler, Chicago should be able to reach 10 wins with Minnesota, Seattle, and Kansas City still on the schedule. Detroit still has to play New Orleans and Green Bay and looks to be falling off.